Google’s recent streamlining of Google Assistant may have somewhat backfired, causing widespread dissatisfaction among some Nest Hub users due to the removal of beloved recipe and cookbook features. While the company cited low usage as the reason for the change, the growing voices of disappointment from passionate cooks who relied on this functionality when in the kitchen suggests otherwise.
In a series of reports on Google Assistant and Nest forums (1,2,3,4,5), users are lamenting the loss of the ability to access and manage their cookbooks and saved recipes, as well as step-by-step guidance and instructional videos. The feature, which used to seamlessly display recipes on the Nest Hub, has been abruptly removed. Now, users are instructed to search for recipes via YouTube or the device’s web browser, which is prone to instability and crashes.
“The recent removal of cookbook/saved recipes is just ridiculous. This was a GREAT feature for my frequent cooking. I could pull up favorite recipes and google would display them in large print, step by step,” one frustrated user remarked, “I guess I’ll be moving to Alexa!”
The sentiment is echoed by others questioning why Google is removing features instead of improving them. Multiple users point out that the Nest Hub was specifically purchased to serve as a kitchen assistant. With no official response from Google yet, users are left wondering how to view their recipes or receive the essential guidance that they depended on.
One particularly troubling report explains that after a recent update, attempts to access the saved cookbook result in a message stating the feature has been relocated to Google Save. However, the Nest Hub’s browser won’t let them log in to their Google account, rendering the suggested solution inaccessible.
The outcry from the user community reveals a deep reliance on the Nest Hub as a hands-free culinary tool. This change leaves many users who have invested in Google’s smart home ecosystem feeling shortchanged. Some are even threatening to switch to Amazon’s Alexa, something Google should be concerned with especially coming from its loyal customers.
If Google wishes to maintain a favorable reputation and stem the possible outflow of users, it must offer a swift resolution or, at the very least, clearly explain the rationale behind the removal of these popular features.
Hillary Keverenge
2114 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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